Concrete wall form



R. F. PHILLIPS A 2,165,905

CONCRETEWALL FORM July ll, 1939.

Filed Dec. 7, 1936 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 11, 1939 UNITED STATES magos PATENT GFFIQE CONCRETE WALL FORM Application December 7, 1936, Serial No. 114,664

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in concrete wall constructions and has for its objects an improved wall form to provide a wall of ordinary thickness yet of great strength with a minimum of concrete, and which wall is cellular in general character and is easily constructed by unskilled labor, and also the provision of wall forms of cheap construction which may be used over again. A further object is the provision of improved means for spacing the walls of the forms, which means results in the cellular form of the finished Wall and also provides means for supporting the walls of the form on a concrete wall that has been previously constructed by using my improved forms where it is desired to add an extension to such concrete wall. Other objects and `advantages will appear in the specification and drawing annexed hereto.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of one of my improved wall forms, partly broken away and in section, in position for receiving concrete between the walls of the form.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional View of one of the removable tubular members of my wall forms.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View of a fragment of a concrete wall constructed by use of my wall forms, which view also shows a method of closing the cylindrical openings through the wall and finishing the outer surface of the concrete wall whereby enclosed air spaces are formed within the wall.

Fig. 4 is an -enlarged sectional View of one of the ends of the tubular forms used in constructing the wall showing the stop pin and latch that function to space the walls of the form and to retain the tubular form against possible collapse during pouring of concrete.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View of a portion of one of the walls of the form showing one means for forming the `concrete wall (shown in section adjacent the wall of the form) for receiving a cap in each end of the opening in the wall for plastering the-ends of the opening closed.

Fig. 6 is a plan View of one of the screen or expanded metal caps in the ends of the holes in a concrete wall constructed by use of the wall form shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of my improved Wall form supported on a previously constructed concrete wall for increasing the height of the wall.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the walls of my form showing caps in the openings in the forms for closing off said openings where it is desired to eliminate the openings in the finished concrete wall that would normally result from the use of the tubular members shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional View of a modified form of my invention.

In detail, I provide a pair of vertically disposed, spaced, opposed walls I, each formed with vertical and horizontal rows of circular openings 2 therein, the openings in one wall being in horizontal alignment with. the openings in the opposite wall. The Walls I respectively may be made 1n up of superposed boards arranged edge to edge o1' may be of relatively large sheets of sheet metal, or of veneer board supported on their outer sides by vertical studding 3.

Extending through each pair of aligned open- 15 ings is an open-ended horizontal tube 4 formed from a flat rectangular sheet of sheet metal rolled to cylindrical form with one of the margins 5 overlapping the opposite margin 6 at' the top of the tube. The under margin 6 is provided with a 20 pair of outwardly projecting pins 1, one adjacent each end of the tube for forming a stop for the free edge of the overlapping margin 5. The pins 'l project through the tube at one end 8, which end is threaded and of reduced diameter, thus 25 forming a shoulder S for seating against the outer side of the tube, and a nut I0 engages the threaded end 8 within the tube securing the pin to the tube, the end 8 of each pin projecting through one of a row of holes Il, formed at one or both ends of the tube, said row extending lonf gitudinally of the length of the tube.

At opposite ends of each of the tubes 4, outwardly of the pins 'I and on the portion of the tube that carries the underlying margin 6, is a pivoted latch I2 adapted to swing to a position overlying the edge of the overlying margin 5 of the tube from a position free of said overlying margin. 'Ihus when the latch is swung 40 from over the margin 5, the tube can be collapsed to dotted line I3 (the upper left-hand tube in Fig. 1) thus permitting the tube to be withdrawn from or inserted through the openings 2 in the walls, or from the concrete wall itself.

In setting up the form, preferably I first posi tion a large mesh screen I4 of relatively heavy gauge wire in vertical position between the vertically disposed walls I, each of the mesh openings in said screen being in horizontal alignment with each pair of aligned openings 2, the cross Wires of said screen being disposed midway lbetween adjacent pairs of the aligned openings 2. The screen Ill, thus forms a reinforcement of great strength in both vertical and horizontal directions, the wires of the screen being spot-welded where they cross.

I next position spacing members I5 across the top edges of the walls, which members are notched at Iii on their under sides to removably engage the top edges of the walls in the notches. The tubular members 4 are now inserted in collapsed form through the lower row of aligned openings 2 in the walls and expanded until the margins 5, 5 are in overlapping engagement with the edges of the margin 5 of each tube engaging the pins 1, and the latch l2 is then swung over the overlying margin 5. In this position the pins 1 form stops engaging respectively the outer sides of each of the walls I, thus spacing the walls, and also the tubes closely fit the openings 2 in said walls.

After the lower row of tubes are in position the remaining tubes are similarly positioned in the remaining openings 2, or if it is desired to leave a space for forming posts or pillars in the wall, the holes 2 at such point may be closed by caps I'i (Fig. 8) which caps are of relatively light sheet metal formed with a flange I8 frictionally engaging in the openings 2.

Each of the tubes' 4 may be formed with an inwardly projecting, annular rib I8 (Fig. 2) adjacent each end of the tube spaced inwardly of the pins one or several inches. After the tubes are in position, the concrete is poured between the walls and the concrete wall I9 is formed with openings 2li therethrough, each opening corresponding to the shape and size of each of the tubes 4.

After the concrete has set, it' is only necessary to turn the latches I2 to disengage the overlapping margins from each other and the under margin 5 is forced radially inwardly, thus collapsing the tubes and permitting easy withdrawal of the tubes and disassembly of the walls I of the form.

The openings El! in the resultant wall include inwardly projecting annular shoulders 2| about an inch inwardly of each open end. I may now place a circular disk 22 of screen or expanded metal, preferably of the conventional ribbed type, as seen in Fig. 3, with the ribs 23 thereof extending horizontally, in each open end of the openings 25, the disks engaging the inwardly projecting shoulders 2| for supporting the disks' against further inward movement in the openings 2D. The ends of the openings may now be plastered closed by plaster 24, the plaster bonding with the disk which disk may be backed by building paper or tar paper, as is common practice.

Where it is' desired to plaster the entire outer surface of the concrete wall, including the ends of the openings 25, l'.- may provide the inner sides of the walls I with small conventional nailing blocks 25, lightly tacked to the walls in positions between the openings 2. When the concrete of the wall is set, and the walls I are removed, the blocksI remain in the walls for nailing lath @G thereto. The conventional plaster screen 2l' is then tacked to the outer sides of the lath and the outer sides of the walls are plastered over including the ends of the openings 2li.

Instead of forming the ribs I8 on the tubes 4 for providing shoulders' within the openings 25, I may nail three or more blocks 30 (Fig. 5) on the inner sides of the walls I adjacent the openings 2. Thus when the concrete wall is formed and has set, and the walls I are removed, there will be three indentations, as at 3| (Fig. 5), in the concrete wall adjacent the openings 20 at the outer sides of the wall. Disks 32 of wire screen having tabs 33 are then placed in the ends of the openings with the tabs 33 in the indentations, and ends of the openings 25 are then plastered across with the disks 32 supporting the plaster 34.

In Fig. 7 I show the manner in which, by reason of the construction of my wall forms, I may readily extend the forms upwardly from a concrete wall 35 that has been previously formed from use of the same wall forms.

In this showing, it will be seen that after the wall 35 has been formed and the walls I removed from the tubes, and all of the tubes' have been removed from the wall 35, except the upper horizontal row, the Walls I are then elevated and supported at their lower ends on the upper row of tubes that have been left in the wall 35. The remaining tubes are then re-inserted through the walls I and the concrete again poured between the forms and onto the wall 35. This form of construction readily enables any ordinary workman to properly align the walls I relative to a preformed section 35 of the concrete wall for increasing the height of the wall.

In Fig. 9 I show a modified form of the invention, in which the one surface of the concrete wall 36 may be made continuous, by the use of my forms, at the initial pouring of the wall. In this form of device, the tubes 31 may be of the same general construction as the tubes 4, except that the latch I2 is removed from one end and a perforated cap 38 is slipped over said end, which cap has a hole in the rim 39 that encircles said end to receive the pin 1. The opposite end of the tube carries pin 1 and latch I2' corresponding to pin 'I and latch I2 of Fig. 4 in function and position. The cap 38 is provided with a pair of ears 38 projecting outwardly of the cap, which ears may be struck out of the rim 39.

In setting up the form, a spacer I5 extends across the top edges of the walls 40, 4I, thereby spacing the walls the desired distance apart'. The tubes 31, with the caps 38 thereon, are inserted through openings 42 in wall 4U until the pins 1 engage said wall 4I), in which position the cap 38 is spaced from wall 4I. The ears 39 are extended through openings 43 in wall 4I and removable nails or pins 44 are inserted through openings in the ears 39 outwardly of wall 4I for engaging the outer side of wall 4I. When the concrete is poured the concrete fills the spaces between the caps 38 and the wall 4I, and runs around the ears 39. After the concrete has set, the tube 31 is collapsed, the pin 1 drawing out of the hole in cap 38, and the tube is then withdrawn from the wall 36, leaving the cap 38 therein. Nails 44 are then withdrawn and wall 4I removed and the projecting ends oi ears 43 are cut off, leaving the one side of the wall 36 of continuous concrete, eliminating the necessity for plastering that end of the opening formed by the tube 31.

In actual practice, thus far I have used tubular members from 6 to l0 inches in diameter, spaced approximately from 81/2 to 121/2 inches from center to center. thereby leaving a web of about 2% inches between openings in the finished concrete wall. The provision of the rows of holes II in the tubes, and the removable pinsI 1, enables spacing of the walls of the form any desired distance, which preferably may be from 6 to 10 inches. Obviously the above proportions may be varied considerably.

Where fences are constructed by use of my forms, the "openings in the concrete wall need not be closed, and in walls of houses, where windows and doors are d`esire`d, l` merely leave out the tubes in such sections and place a rectangular frame of the desired size between tlie walls i.

The formatonlofwpillars, beams,- etc.l`*has 'alf ready been described, by using-caps 'i to iill lthey circular openings in the walls. Needless to say, the tubes l1; need not be cylindrical, but may be hexagonal, triangular or diamond shape in cross section, although preferably cylindrical, since this form retains its shape best, the resiliency of the metal tending to bring the tubes back to shape after being collapsed.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A collapsible tube for use with spaced opposed form walls. in constructing concrete walls comprising a generally rectangular continuous sheet of metal shaped to form a tube having opposite open ends and with the margins of the sheet along two opposite edges disposed together in overlaping relation, means on the underlying margin projecting outwardly therefrom arranged and adapted to releasably engage the outer sides of the form walls respectively through which the tube is adapted to extend at its ends for supporting the form walls against sliding outwardly over the ends oi the tube.

2. In a construction as defined in claim l, said means being positioned to engage the overlying margin for limiting the degree of overlap of said margins and for supporting said margins against relative movement.

3. In a construction as defined in claim 1, a wall of said tube being formed with a recess at a point spaced appreciably inwardly of opposite open ends of' the tube, said recess being of a shape and depth to cause a complementary formation thereof to be formed within wet concrete poured between the form walls and around said tube whereby said formation forms a closure support within the opening through the concrete wall caused by the tube after the tube has been removed from the concrete wall.

4. In a construction as defined in claim l, a latch carried by said tube on the outer side thereof adjacent said means, said latch being arranged and adapted to releasably secure the overlapping margins together.

5. In a device for forming wall-like bodies from flowing concrete having wall side forming side walls provided with corresponding openings; a radially expansible and collapsible, longitudinally rigid elongated tubular member for passing through such corresponding openings and expansion against the edges thereof, means carried by and projecting outwardly from a side of said member adjacent its ends arranged and adapted to releasably secure the side walls on the tubular member inwardly of said means against movement over the outer ends of the member when said member is in radially expanded position in substantial engagement with the edges of the corresponding openings in the side walls and to release the side walls for movement thereof over the outer ends of the member when the tubular member is in radially collapsed position.

6. In a device for forming walllile bodies from iiowing concrete having wall side forming side walls provided with corresponding openings; a radially expansible and collapsible, longitudinally rigid elongated tubular member for passing through such corresponding openings and expansion against the edges thereof, projections movable with a side oi said member radially of the/lng'itudinal laxis-"oisaid member upon radial. movement ofthe sides of said member from col lapsed to expanded-position and vice-versa, said projections beingarranged and adapted to pass through the corresponding openings in the side walls when the member is in radially collapsed position and to move to a position extending over the margins of the corresponding openings when the member is in radially expanded position thereby preventing movement of the side walls over the outer ends of the members when the member is in said radially expanded position while permitting release of the side walls over thev ends of the member when the member is in radially collapsed position and means releasably securing the sides of the tubular member in radially expanded position.

7.111 a device for forming wallelike bodies from iiowing concrete having wall side forming side walls provided with corresponding openings; an elongated, longitudinally rigid tube for passing through such corresponding openings, said tube being integrally formed from a single piece of sheet metal and the said tube being split longitudinally along one side with the margins along the split being disposed in overlapping relation and free of securement to each other whereby said margins are free for relative movement oppositely to permit radial expansion and collapse of the tube upon such movement in one direction or the other, releasable marginal locking means carried by one of said margins movable from an unlocked position permitting said movement of the margins in a direction for collapsing the tube to a locked position extending across the free edge of the opposite margin when the tube is in expanded position for preventing relative movement of the margins in a direction or collapsing the tube.

8. In a device for forming wall-like bodies from flowing concrete having wall side forming side walls provided with corresponding openings; an elongated tube of substantially uniform outside diameter from end to end thereof for passing through such corresponding openings from the outside of one of the side walls to a position with the outer ends of the tube projecting outwardly of the outer sides of the side walls and for removal from said position through one of such corresponding openings, means carried by the tube at opposite ends thereof supported thereby for movement radially of the longitudinal axis of said tube from positions projecting outwardly of the side of the tube for engaging the outer sides of the side walls against outward movement of the side walls the ends of the tubes to positions within the laterally projected area of the openings in the side walls whereby the tube may be withdrawn from the openings when said means is in the latter oi the aforesaid positions.

9. A wall form for use in forming concrete walls, said form comprising a pair of vertically extending, spaced, opposed walls respectively formed with a plurality of rows of similar sized openings, the openings of the rows in one of the walls being in horizontal axial alignment with the openings of the rows in the opposite wall and the space between adjacent pairs of openings in each of the rows being substantially the same as the space between the adjacent pairs o1" rows in each wall and the maximum diameter of the openings respectively being not less than the s pnace between the adjacent pairs of openings, longitudinally rigid elongated tubes extending between said opposed walls and into corresponding openings in said opposed Walls at their opposite ends with the latter outer sides of the tubes at said ends in engagement with theI edges of the openings whereby concrete Wet poured between said opposed walls will be supported between said walls and around the lateral sides of the portions of the tubes between the walls to produce a concrete Wall formed with rows of open-ended voids therein corresponding in interna] shape to the external contour of said tubes and which voids will correspond in spacing to the spacing of the tubes, and means on the tubes releasably securing said opposed walls against removal outwardly of the ends of the tubes.

RODNEY F. PHILLIPS, 

